Science (2015) Grade(s): 09-12 - Biology

SC15.BIO.6

Analyze and interpret data from investigations to explain the role of products and reactants of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in the cycling of matter and the flow of energy.

Unpacked Content

Scientific and Engineering Practices

Planning and Carrying out Investigations; Analyzing and Interpreting Data

Crosscutting Concepts

Cause and Effect; Energy and Matter

Knowledge

Students know:
  • Autotrophs obtain energy directly from sunlight.
  • Heterotrophs obtain energy by eating autotrophs and other heterotrophs.
  • The relationship between CO2 and O2 in photosynthesis and respiration—recognize that the reactants of one are the products of the other.
  • The inputs and outputs of energy at each stage of photosynthesis—stage I, the light-dependent reactions and stage II, the light-independent reactions (Calvin Cycle).
  • The structure and function of ATP--Energy is stored in the bonds between phosphates in ATP and released when those bonds are broken.
  • The inputs and outputs of energy at each stage of Cellular respiration—Glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and Electron transport.
  • The role of plant pigments in photosynthesis.
  • The red and blue ends of the visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum are used by plants in photosynthesis while the reflection and transmission of the middle of the spectrum gives leaves their green visual color (in most cases).

Skills

Students are able to:
  • Formulate a scientific question about how energy is stored and/or released in living systems.
  • Analyze information about how photosynthesis converts light energy into stored chemical energy.
  • Interpret data illustrating the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration.
  • Explain the relationship between photosynthesis and cellular respiration in terms of energy flow and cycling of matter.
  • Investigate the relationship between wavelength and energy.
  • Investigate the energy absorbed and reflected by photosynthetic pigments at specific wavelengths.
  • Interpret data describing the absorption and reflection of wavelengths by various pigments.
  • Describe the relationship between pigments, wavelength and energy.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • Photosynthesis and cellular respiration are two important processes that cells use to obtain energy.
  • The products of photosynthesis are oxygen and glucose, the reactants needed for cellular respiration.
  • The products of cellular respiration, carbon dioxide and water, are the reactants needed for photosynthesis.
  • Photosynthesis is dependent on the absorption of light by pigments in the leaves of plants.

Vocabulary

  • Energy
  • Thermodynamics
  • Metabolism
  • Photosynthesis
  • Cellular respiration
  • Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
  • Autotroph
  • Heterotroph
  • Chloroplasts
  • chlorophylls
  • Thylakoid
  • Granum
  • Stroma
  • Pigment
  • Photosystems I & II
  • NADP+
  • NADPH
  • chemiosmosis
  • Calvin Cycle
  • Rubisco
  • Anaerobic process
  • Aerobic respiration
  • Aerobic process
  • Glycolysis
  • ATP
  • Pyruvate
  • Krebs cycle
  • Fermentation (lactic acid and alcohol)
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